Steven Holl’s projects often start as beautifully artistic watercolors, and INVERSION is no different. The project began when the architect painted a simple five by seven-inch watercolor sketch at his office in New York City. That watercolor was then converted into a 3D file, serving as the only design file for the project—requiring no other working drawings. The file was then sent to Lecce, Italy, the site of the ancient limestone quarry.

Six chunks of limestone were then carved into inverted sculptures, using a five-axis CNC mill by Pimar. Each sculpture weighs in at a hefty 2,500 pounds and rise to around four feet high. Each of the sculptures twists and turns with negative space, echoing the signature style of the architecture firm.

Placed around the ornate courtyard, they are a contrast of modernism, made with an ancient material. At night, each sculpture seems to glow with high-powered LED strips, transforming them into stone lanterns. The sculptures have been placed on a sheet of reflective water with a misting system by Teuco Guzzini, which makes each 2,500 slab of stone seem to hover above the ground.

Holl himself with give a lecture in conjunction of the exhibition for the FuoriSalone 2013. After the exhibition, INVERSION will be flown to Princeton, where they will be on permanent display at the Performing Arts Center, designed by Steven Holl Architects of course.